Manama: Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Nasser bin Hamad Cycling Tour for Amateurs is set to commence on Wednesday, running from November 5-8. The event is organised by the Bahrain Cycling Association in cooperation with Faalyat Company, with broad participation from cyclists within Bahrain, residents, and teams from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
According to Bahrain News Agency, at a press conference held by the organising committee, Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Cycling Association, highlighted that the tour reflects HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad's vision in supporting youth and sports. He noted that the event provides amateur cyclists with an opportunity to showcase their talents and compete in a professional environment.
Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad highlighted the federation's pride in the tour's growth and its dedication to staging an edition that excels both organisationally and technically, reinforcing Bahrain's position as a leading sports destination. Abdulla Al Jowder, Director of Marassi Galleria, commended the tour's success in previous editions and underscored his institution's commitment to supporting the event to ensure another successful edition.
Major Ahmed Al Ahmed, representing the General Directorate of Traffic, emphasised that the Ministry of Interior is committed to ensuring the safety of cyclists and facilitating traffic during the tour. He noted that a comprehensive plan has been implemented to secure the smooth execution of the event. Isa Ayoub, Director of the Tour, said that over 250 cyclists from Bahrain and abroad are participating, and noted that the organising committee is fully prepared for the four-day event.
Dr. Abdullah Al Housni, Chief Referee, provided details on the competition, noting that the committee has selected highly qualified officials to oversee the tour. The first day of the tour will feature the opening stage, a 6-kilometre individual time trial, taking place at Bilaj Al Jazayer. Additionally, the organising committee held a technical meeting with referees and team representatives to review the technical regulations, confirm organisational instructions, and ensure that the highest safety standards are maintained for all participants.